Source: LATAM
LATAM Airlines Group was recognized by the airline industry’s leading accreditation organization for COVID-19 safe travel, Skytrax, obtaining a 4-star rating. LATAM is the only airline in South America to have ever achieved this category.
Airline Star Ratings are recognized as a global benchmark around the world, and use a quality and consistent scale from 1-5 stars, based on the evaluation of product and service standards for both onboard and airport environments. Currently, 29 airlines in the world have been distinguished with this certification. The 4-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating recognizes strong airport hygiene and safety measures that include some elements of contactless technology, customer handling, and social distancing protocols for check-in, boarding, and arrival.
The COVID-19 Safety Audit was conducted by Skytrax in April 2021, assessing all safety and hygiene protocols introduced by LATAM during the COVID-19 crisis to enhance customer and staff safety. The rating evaluates front-line facilities and service to determine how effectively and consistently COVID-19 procedures are being implemented across airport and onboard cleanliness, disinfection procedures, standard and usage conformity of staff PPE, signage and information, application of social distancing, hand sanitizer facilities, PA guidance, organization and control of passenger flows, applying face mask usage, and adapted service systems in the airport and onboard flights.
“This recognition highlights our enhanced safety and hygiene measures in the context of the global health crisis of COVID-19,” said Paulo Miranda, Vice President for Clients of LATAM Airlines Group. “Our customers can experience peace of mind while flying, confident that LATAM is adopting all the recommendations of health organizations, and even pioneering initiatives that reinforce its cleaning and prevention standards in all phases of the customer journey.”
LATAM Airlines Group has cooperated with airport operators in many countries to ensure that its COVID-19 safety measures are well communicated to passengers, and that social distancing and one-way movement systems are in place. Where necessary, LATAM has introduced branded signage and increased the quantity and visibility of hand sanitizer stations.
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax added, “LATAM Airlines Group has a large footprint in the Latin American travel market and has had to introduce COVID-19 safe travel systems based on a range of global standards and various national governments where it has hub operations. Given the scope of the network, we are impressed with the consistency that LATAM has managed to achieve in terms of safe handling systems for passengers in each airport, and similarly, the enhanced procedures for sanitizing airport and onboard environments are also highly praised.”
Additionally, the 4-star rating recognizes: airline lounges that have good cleanliness procedures and consistency; reasonable measures in place for social distancing and safe delivery systems for food and beverages; good quality onboard cleanliness and cabin presentation that may use techniques for UV sanitization and scientifically evaluated mass disinfectant treatments; and catering services that are adapted for COVID-19 times, with some reduced contact delivery and enhanced food safety measures for meal presentation.
Finally, the LATAM group has played a relevant role in the logistics and transportation of vaccines to face COVID-19. After the arrival of the first shipments to South America, in December 2020, LATAM offered the authorities of the countries where it has domestic operations, free transport of the doses. To date, the group has mobilized more than 37.5 million doses at no cost.